Xiaoshan Introduction

As the south gate of Hangzhou city, Xiaoshan, o­n the south bank of the Qiantang River is located at the south part of most developed Yangtze River Delta. It covers an area of 1,420 square kilometers inhabited by a population of 1.17 million. In 2nd century BC, it was originally built as a county and then upgraded into a city in 1998. In 2001, it had been elected as a new administrative district of the capital city Hangzhou. Enjoying the convenient communication,the Xiaoshan International Airport is among the country's top ten airports. Xiaoshan's connectivity is enhanced by convenient railways and expressways running through the district as well as the nearby Shanghai and Ningbo port (180 km and 150 km respectively).

Xiaoshan is pooled with developed economy, social progress, prosperous businesses, well-functioned government and harmonious living. Xiaoshan is also a city bustling with business. Since 2001 Xiaoshan’s overall economic strength ranks the seventh among o­ne hundred most-developed counties nationally, and the first in Zhejiang Province. Xiaoshan is also o­ne of investors' choice hubs, recording the same volume of trade as Taiwan in terms of electrical machinery & electronics for two consecutive years. Plus, in 2004, the value of industrial output totaled 160 billion yuan (or 20 billion US dollars), occupying the third among all most-developed counties (cities and districts) in the country.

Currently, Xiaosan lies in an important plateau of development either in its self-promotion or the strategic transition of economy, city and society. For this purpose, efforts will be made to build a rich harmonious and modern district. Through quick maneuverable working, the city would further consolidate its leading role no matter in Hangzhou city, Zhejiang Province or even China.

Xiaoshan Traffic

Hangzhou Xiaoshan International AirportHangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport has opened 47domestic routes, 2 regional routes to Hong Kong and Macao, and 5 international routes respectively to Bankok, Seoul, Singapore, Tokyo and Osaka, in the near future, as well as international routes to Europe, Australia, USA, Middle East, etc.

HighwaysHighways network including Shanghai-Hangzhou-Ningbo Expressway, Hangzhou-Jinhua-Quzhou Expressway, and Ring Road around Hangzhou City, State Highway No. 104, and Provincial Highway No. 03 connects Xiaoshan to other major cities in the Yangtze River Delta.

RailroadsRailroads from Shanghai to Hang Zhou, Zhejiang to Jiangxi and Xiaoshan to Ningbo make up the railroad transportation network in Xiaoshan.

PortsShanghai port and Ningbo port are respectively about two-hour drive and o­ne and half hour drive from Xiaoshan.

Water TransportationQiantang River, Fuchun River, Puyang River and Hangzhou-Ningbo Canal constitute the inland water transportation system.

Xiaoshan Festivals

The Spring Festival falls o­n the 1st day of the 1st lunar month, often o­ne month later than the Gregorian calendar. It originated in the Shang Dynasty (c. 1600 BC-c. 1100 BC) from the people's sacrifice to gods and ancestors at the end of an old year and the beginning of a new o­ne. Strictly speaking, the Spring Festival starts every year in the early days of the 12th lunar month and will last till the mid 1st lunar month of the next year. Of them, the most important days are Spring Festival Eve and the first three days. The Chinese government now stipulates people have seven days off for the Chinese Lunar New Year.

Dragon boat festivalDragon boat festivalDate: 5th day of the 5th lunar monthPlace: NationwideActivities: Dragon Boat races and eating of tzungtzu (pyramid-shaped rice wrapped in reed or bamboo leaves).Remarks: The Chinese Dragon Boat Festival has the longest history of any of the festivals celebrated in China. Dragon boat races are held to the sounds of thunderous drumbeats. Racing teams row vigorously, sprinting forward to reach the finish line.In Chinese tradition, the dragon boats attempt to rescue the patriotic poet, Chu Yuan. Chu Yuan drowned himself because his king would not take his advice. As a result, his kingdom was conquered. Chu Yuan drowned himself o­n the fifth day of the fifth month in 277 B.C. To save his body, people fed the fish cooked rice. They rowed boats and threw bamboo leaved filled with cooked rice into the water. Later, the custom of eating tzungtzu and rice dumplings became part of the festival.